About the Certificate Program

Certificates prepare students for employment or career advancement. Certificates are developed through advisory committees consisting of industry leaders, employers, and SRJC faculty ensuring that students are learning the skills needed by the respective industry. There are four types of certificates recognized by the College: Certificates of Achievement, Skills Certificates, Certificates of Completion (non-credit) and Certificates of Competency (non-credit).

Certificates of Achievement:

Certificates of Achievement are noted on a student's transcript upon successful completion and contain at least 12 units of coursework. Some certificates of achievement may be completed in as little as 1 year. These certificates are intended to certify that students who have successfully completed the program are prepared to enter the careers associated with their chosen certificate. SRJC strives to meet employer demands and these certificates are subject to rigorous review upon their creation and their continuation. In addition to local approval, these programs must also be endorsed by the Bay Area Community College Consortium and receive approval from the California Community College Chancellor's Office. Prior to the 2008-2009 catalog, Certificates of Achievement were designated as Career Certificates.

Skills Certificates:

Skills certificates are under 18 units and are not acknowledged on a student's transcript nor are they required to be state Chancellor's Office approved. Some skills certificates may be completed in as little as a single semester. These certificates are designed to provide the student with a brief but intense course of study in a particular area, so that the student may develop specific skills or prepare for an entry-level position in the field. Successful completion of these programs also may certify that students are prepared with a particular set of skills, such as the job entry skills leading to a full Certificate of Achievement program, or skills to upgrade or advance in an existing career. These programs often provide advancement on a "career ladder," and are therefore of shorter duration and narrower in scope than the Certificate of Achievement programs to which they may lead. Prior to the 2006-2007 Catalog, Skills Certificates were designated as Completion Certificates or Competency Certificates. Prior to the 2008-2009 Catalog, Skills Certificates were designated as Achievement Certificates.

Have a certificate and want to get a degree?

Degrees are often available for many occupational fields that also have a Certificate of Achievement. Students in occupational programs are strongly encouraged to obtain an Associate Degree. This can be done by selecting a major related to the certificate program, or by pursuing a more general major, such as Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must complete the requirements of the major, as well as other degree requirements.

A student who has completed a certificate program may be awarded the Associate Degree in a later semester providing all major and degree requirements are met.

The Certificate of Achievement and Selection Processes:

Some programs - particularly in the Health Sciences or Public Safety fields - may have a selection process for entering students. Please contact the department or a counselor for information about the selection process for any such program.

Coursework Requirements and the Certificate:

No course may be used more than once to fulfill a requirement in the certificate.

Catalog Rights:

Requirements for a certificate are determined according to the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment. In order to maintain catalog rights, a student must be in continuous enrollment; that is, enrollment in at least one credit course during each successive academic year. For the purpose of catalog rights, the academic year begins each fall and ends with the subsequent summer session. When a break in enrollment occurs, certificate requirements are determined according to the catalog in effect when continuous enrollment is resumed.

Continuous Enrollment:

Students who do not remain in continuous enrollment are subject to all academic policies and requirements as stated in the College Catalog in effect at the time of their resumption of enrollment. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in at least one credit course during each successive academic year.